# Grok Imagine Video 1.5 vs Lite: Prices, Inputs and API

> Compare Grok Imagine Video 1.5 and Lite, including text, image and reference inputs, duration limits and Raywake prices.

Canonical: https://raywake.si/blog/grok-imagine-video-1-5
Last updated: 2026-10-31

Published: 2026-10-31 · Raywake

**Grok Imagine Video 1.5 creates videos from text, a starting image or reference images, with durations from 1 to 15 seconds. On Raywake, text to video costs $0.13 per second at 480p, $0.23 at 720p and $0.40 at 1080p. The separate 1.5 Lite text operation lists upper-bound per-video prices of $0.23, $0.34 and $1.56 respectively. Reference mode supports 480p and 720p only.**

Open [Grok Imagine Video 1.5](https://raywake.si/explore/xai/grok-imagine-video/v1.5/text-to-video) or [Grok Imagine Video 1.5 Lite](https://raywake.si/explore/xai/grok-imagine-video/v1.5/lite/text-to-video) to choose a text workflow. The available image and reference operations use different inputs and pricing units. Prices are as of 31 October 2026.

## Grok Imagine Video 1.5 at a glance

| Operation              | Required inputs                     | Duration                   | Resolution        |
| ---------------------- | ----------------------------------- | -------------------------- | ----------------- |
| 1.5 text to video      | `prompt`                            | 1 to 15 seconds, default 6 | 480p, 720p, 1080p |
| 1.5 Lite text to video | `prompt`                            | 1 to 15 seconds, default 6 | 480p, 720p, 1080p |
| 1.5 image to video     | `prompt` and `image_url`            | 1 to 15 seconds, default 6 | 480p, 720p, 1080p |
| 1.5 reference to video | `prompt` and `reference_image_urls` | 1 to 15 seconds, default 8 | 480p, 720p        |

Standard text and image generation include audio. Audio support is not confirmed for Lite or reference mode; choose standard text or image generation if sound is essential.

## How much does Grok Imagine Video 1.5 cost?

Standard text generation has a per-second rate. Multiply that rate by the requested video duration to compare the listed options.

| Standard text resolution | Per second | 6-second example | 15-second example |
| ------------------------ | ---------: | ---------------: | ----------------: |
| 480p                     |      $0.13 |            $0.78 |             $1.95 |
| 720p                     |      $0.23 |            $1.38 |             $3.45 |
| 1080p                    |      $0.40 |            $2.40 |             $6.00 |

The other operations have maximum prices, not that per-second schedule.

| Operation and setting               |         Catalog price |
| ----------------------------------- | --------------------: |
| Lite text, 480p                     | Up to $0.23 per video |
| Lite text, 720p                     | Up to $0.34 per video |
| Lite text, 1080p                    | Up to $1.56 per video |
| Standard image, default options     |   Up to $1.35 per run |
| Standard reference, default options |   Up to $1.15 per run |

Do not multiply the Lite prices by seconds. Likewise, do not treat a default-options upper bound as a fixed rate for every resolution and duration. Request a quote with the actual inputs before setting your production budget.

## Which input mode should you use?

Use text to video when the scene can start from a written brief. Describe the subject, action and camera movement together. The standard text operation also generates audio, so the desired atmosphere can be part of the scene description.

Use image to video when an existing image is the starting material. Its required field is singular, `image_url`. That operation does not list an `aspect_ratio` field, so do not copy the text request unchanged and add a picture.

Use reference to video when you want to guide a scene using a group of images. It accepts one to seven reference images. That is a different request from animating one starting image, and it has its own default duration and resolution.

## Which one should you use, standard or Lite?

Compare the two text operations if your starting point is a prompt. Lite has lower listed prices, but the pricing units differ. Get matching quotes for your intended duration and resolution before making a budget decision.

To compare speed and quality, keep the scene and frame shape constant, then judge the motion and composition against your brief. Treat “Lite” as a model name, not evidence that every request finishes sooner.

## How to call Grok Imagine Video 1.5 through the API

This quote example uses the standard text endpoint with its default duration and resolution. It requests landscape framing explicitly.

**Quote this request**

cURL:

```bash
curl --fail-with-body https://api.raywake.com/v1/quotes \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $RAYWAKE_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"model":"xai/grok-imagine-video/v1.5/text-to-video","input":{"prompt":"An astronaut walks across a rocky plain beneath a ringed planet, slow tracking camera, quiet footsteps","duration":6,"resolution":"720p","aspect_ratio":"16:9"}}'
```

Python:

```python
import os
import requests

payload = {'model': 'xai/grok-imagine-video/v1.5/text-to-video',
 'input': {'prompt': 'An astronaut walks across a rocky plain beneath a ringed '
                     'planet, slow tracking camera, quiet footsteps',
           'duration': 6,
           'resolution': '720p',
           'aspect_ratio': '16:9'}}
response = requests.post(
    'https://api.raywake.com/v1/quotes',
    headers={'Authorization': f'Bearer {os.environ["RAYWAKE_API_KEY"]}'},
    json=payload, timeout=30,
)
response.raise_for_status()
print(response.json())
```

JavaScript:

```javascript
const payload = {
  "model": "xai/grok-imagine-video/v1.5/text-to-video",
  "input": {
    "prompt": "An astronaut walks across a rocky plain beneath a ringed planet, slow tracking camera, quiet footsteps",
    "duration": 6,
    "resolution": "720p",
    "aspect_ratio": "16:9"
  }
};
const response = await fetch('https://api.raywake.com/v1/quotes', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: { Authorization: `Bearer ${process.env.RAYWAKE_API_KEY}`, 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
  body: JSON.stringify(payload),
  signal: AbortSignal.timeout(30000),
});
if (!response.ok) throw new Error(`Quote failed: ${response.status}`);
console.log(await response.json());
```

For Lite text, replace the model ID with `xai/grok-imagine-video/v1.5/lite/text-to-video`. The image operation is `xai/grok-imagine-video/v1.5/image-to-video`; add `image_url` and omit `aspect_ratio`.

Reference mode uses `xai/grok-imagine-video/v1.5/reference-to-video` and `reference_image_urls`. Set resolution to `480p` or `720p`, since `1080p` is not listed there. The [quotes reference](https://raywake.si/docs/reference/quotes) explains the quote response and subsequent request flow.

## Common questions

### How long can Grok Imagine Video 1.5 clips be?

All four operations described here accept an integer duration from 1 to 15 seconds.

### Does reference mode support 1080p?

No. Its listed resolutions are 480p and 720p. Text and image modes also list 1080p.

### How many reference images can I supply?

The reference operation describes one to seven images. Send them using `reference_image_urls`.

### Does Lite have the same audio support?

Audio support is confirmed for standard text and image generation. If sound is essential, choose one of those operations; Lite audio support is not confirmed.

[Create a video with Grok Imagine 1.5](https://raywake.si/dashboard)

## Related

- [Raywake Blog](https://raywake.si/blog)